Mass Audubon’s Urban Nature Center at the Powder Magazine is now open weekends, noon to sunset. For more information about Mass Audubon programs, click here.
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Upcoming Programs:
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Magazine Beach Improvements – Phase 2.2: Grassy Beach, Monday, September 8, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. at Magazine Beach, 719 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139 (near the Powder Magazine Terrace)
For Adults & Families
The Future of Sustainable Fashion: Upcycling
Saturday, September 13 • 2:00-4:00 pmGive new life to old clothes and practice sewing new designs by hand.Fall Equinox Nature in the City Festival
Saturday, September 20 • 1:00-5:00 pm
Welcome the arrival of fall with an afternoon of climate action, collaborative art, nature exploration, and more.Charles River (Quinobequin) Exploration Dat with Canoemobile
Saturday, September 27 • 11:30 am-4:00 pm
Enjoy the last paddle of the season in 10-person canoes while learning about local natural history.Eastern Medicine Singers: Sunset Drum Circle
Saturday, September 27 • 4:30-6:30 pm
Celebrate the living legacy of Eastern Algonquin language and culture with music from a local inter-tribal drum group.Seed Heads of the Charles: A Race to Disperse
Sunday, October 19 • 12:00-5:00 pm
Gather for the iconic regatta on the Charles River and learn how plants spread their seeds far and wide.For Adults
Nature Poetry Reading
Sunday, September 7 • 3:30-5:00 pm
Listen to local writers as they present and discuss eco-poetry that explores our relationships to nature.Monthly Foraging Walks
Sundays September 14, October 12 &November 8 • 1:00-2:30 pm
Come together with fellow nature-lovers and photographers of all experience levels to share the stories and reflections behind your favorite shots, celebrating the art of visual storytelling.Monthly Bird Walks
Saturdays September 20, October 18, November 15 & December 20 • 8:00-10:00 am
Explore the park for migrating and resident birds, observing the unique species that flock to this urban oasis across the seasons.Outdoor Meditation on the Charles
Saturday, September 20 & October 18 • 1:00-2:30 pm
Slow down, engage your senses, and connect with nature in this outdoor meditation workshop.Bachata by the River
Sunday, September 28 • 5:00-7:00 pm
Get your feet moving in this outdoor sunset dance class. No partner or previous experience necessary!Fungi Fine Art
Saturday, October 11 • 1:00-2:30 pm
Search for fungi in the park with a naturalist guide, then use their spores to create unique art prints.For Families & Youth
Nature Play Day
Saturdays October 4, November 1 & 16 • 2:00-3:30 pm
Gather with friends and family to explore the park for plants and animals, playing games along the way.Creepy Crawly Creations: Mini Festival
Saturday, October 25 • 1:00-5:00 pm
Put on your costumes and get spooky with live animals, festive crafts, and seasonal snacks.
Past Programs:
- Bachata by the River rescheduled from last Sunday, now Sunday, August 3rd 6:00 – 8:00 pm
- Golden hour concert series, Friday August 8th & 29th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm
- Monthly foraging walk, Sunday, August 17th from 2:00 – 4:30 pm
- Sound bath vibe session, Sunday, August 24th from 3:00 – 4:30 pm
- Bachata by the River, Sunday, August 24th 6:00 – 8:00 pm
July 6th : Introduction to Bird Photography from 9am-12pm
In this workshop, professional photographer and birder Michael Bryant, aka Nature Man Mike, will show you how to capture the perfect bird photo. We’ll cover all the information you need to know about settings, composition, equipment, light conditions, and more to help you improve your bird photography skills. Then, we will explore the grounds of Magazine Beach Park looking for birds to photograph, receiving guidance and tips along the way to help you get optimal results.
This workshop is intended for people with a DSLR, mirrorless or bridge camera. A lens with a reach of at least 400mm is recommended. The workshop is open to all skill levels.
Michael Bryant, aka Nature Man Mike, is a Boston-based professional photographer and instructor, and host of local bird walks, international bird photography tours, and workshops. He has seventeen years of experience as a nature photographer and fourteen years as a professional portrait photographer.
July 11: Animals and Ice Cream from 5-7pm
Grab a sweet treat and meet one of our animal ambassadors! Learn all about the native wildlife of Massachusetts and the amazing adaptations that help them survive. Then, grab some Trader Joe’s frozen treats (with options for all dietary restrictions) and enjoy an evening stroll in the park to discover local wildlife.
Pride Festival
Saturday, June 7 • 12:00-4:00 pmKick back and enjoy music, food, drag performances, and nature activities during this community event for all ages.
At Water’s Edge: Making Art of Local Wildlife
Saturday, June 14 • 10:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:30-3:30 pm
Work with local professional artists to paint and draw the wildlife around the park onto a mural for the nature center.
Paddling Programs
Various Dates and Times
Explore the Charles River from the cockpit of a kayak! From paddling for pride to looking for medicinal plants on the water, summer is the perfect time to hit the water.
Golden Hour Concert Series
Fridays, June 27, July 18, August 8, August 29 • 6:00-8:00 pm
Enjoy live music in the park performed by local musicians in partnership with Berklee College of Music. For Adults.
Wildcrafting 101
Sunday, June 8 • 2:00-3:30 pm
Gather and transform raw materials from nature into beautiful, functional creations, from utensils to art pieces.
Behind the Lens: Visual Storytelling in Nature
Saturday, June 28 • 4:00-6:00 pm
Come together with fellow nature-lovers and photographers of all experience levels to share the stories and reflections behind your favorite shots, celebrating the art of visual storytelling.
Monthly Foraging Walks
One Sunday each month • 2:00-3:30 pm
Discover the edible and medicinal properties of local plants growing in Cambridge and learn how to harvest them sustainably and ethically.
Bachata by the River
One Sunday each month • 6:00-8:00 pm
Get your feet moving in this outdoor sunset dance class. No partner or previous experience necessary!
Monthly Bird Walks
One Saturday each month • 8:00-10:00 am
Bird around the park and beyond, with partners like the Brookline Bird Club and Nature Man Mike.
Yoga and Mindfulness
Various dates and times
Relax and reconnect with nature while centering the body, mind, and soul through movement and meditation.
Nature Poetry Readings
Sunday July 13, August 13 & September 7
Listen to local writers as they present and discuss eco-poetry that explores our relationships to nature. Each session features different poets.
For Families & Children
Animal and Ice Cream Social
Friday, July 11 • 5:00-7:00 pm
Meet one of our animal ambassadors and learn about local wildlife, then grab a sweet treat and take an evening stroll around the park.
Nature Play Days
One Saturday or Sunday each month • 2:00-3:30 pm
Gather with friends and family to explore the park for plants and animals, playing games along the way.
Preschool Nature Detectives
One Thursday each month • 10:00-11:00 am
Investigate the mysteries hidden all around us in nature, gathering clues in the park to solve a seasonal story
June 27: Golden Hour Concert Series from 6-8pm
Our June event will feature Keeme Tajudeen, a vocalist who blends gospel roots with influences from jazz, pop, neo-soul, blues, rock, and musical theater. Keeme is also a student of Black Music and Culture at Berklee College of Music.
June 28th: Behind the Lens: Visual Storytelling in Nature from 4-6pm
Gather with community in a cozy setting inspired by ‘Climate Cafes,’ where photographers and nature-lovers can share their favorite images of the natural world and the personal stories and reflections that bring them to life. Be it an encounter, memory, or a moment of awe, stories behind the lens celebrate the art of visual storytelling, offering a chance to connect through the beauty and meaning we find in nature. Whether you’re sharing or simply listening, all are welcome.
Participants are encouraged to bring 1-3 nature-themed photos (These can be taken on a phone, camera, or even printed) and be ready to share the story behind each image in a short, informal presentation (about 2-3 minutes per photo). This could be a meaningful memory, an environmental insight, or simply what made you pause and take the shot. Facilitators will guide the flow of the event, introduce speakers, encourage dialogue, and foster a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere where all voices feel valued. Light refreshments and time for open conversation will round out the experience.
No photography experience is necessary, just a love for nature and a story to share.
Past Programs:
Magazine Beach 
I am planning on attending the Zumba classes on Magazine beach however, I’m concerned about receiving information for weather cancellations. For example, today is supposed to have rain and thunder storms. I’m ok with dancing in the rain, however I’m not making assumptions for everyone. Please let me know and thank you for your time in advance.
Sosa,
Sorry for the late reply. We were noting rain cancellations at magazinebeach.org, under events. Can you think of a better way to communicate this? Lots of rain on Tuesday nights this past summer!
The Zumba and Yoga classes now being held at the park are not organized by us and I don’t think that they’re officially permitted by DCR. I’d like to know more about them!
We’re hoping to offer some FREE yoga classes this fall with Cport’s own Carol Faulkner. Stay tuned! I’ll be posting at magazinebeach.org/events once DCR approves them.
Is charcoal grilling allowed?
If yes, is there a specific area of the park to do so?
Thank you
Grilling at the park is against DCR regulations, however, folks grill there all the time. Please dump coals next to trash bins and NOT at the foot of trees. We want those old trees to be there for the decades to come….
As a young person, I spent most of my time here as a person who in played little league baseball and enjoying my lifep I am m surprised to see wh ass t is going on there, in my in home town, viele glucklische, Joe Johnson
Hi folks! I am coordinating outdoor classes through Down Under School of Yoga and would love to learn more about how to go about using your space. Also very excited to talk about collaborations within the community if that’s something we can arrange. Thank you!
Angie,
We’ll be offering outdoor yoga at the park this summer. Magazine Beach Partners is paying for this and Mass Audubon is coordinating it. Since Magazine Beach is a DCR, state, park, all programs there need to be free. To coordinate, contact Paul Kelley at pkelley@massaudubon.org.
Cathie
Thank you Cathy! I’ll reach out. Really excited about your programs and grateful for all that you do!